With a few tools and a little know how, you can save yourself some money by repairing small damages yourself.
Unsightly Dents
If your accident has not broken the finish and has damaged a larger body panel, you may be able to pull the dent out. Dump a bucket of soapy water over the dent and stick your household plunger over the area. The water should help create a good seal and you may be able to pull the panel back into shape. The soap will allow you to slide the plunger down the panel to break the suction.
If your dent is in a small area near a crease in the vehicle, you can place a small block of wood at the tip of the dent and gently tap the wood with a mallet to force the misplaced metal back into its original shape. Tapping gently around the edges of the dent may help pop the metal back into shape. Use care not to break the finish, chipped paint exposes bare metal which will rust.
Scratches, Scrapes and Stone Chips
Most body shops will sell you a bottle of touch up paint. They will also ask you what you are repairing and offer to fix it for a large fee. Kindly decline, and request just a bottle of touch up paint. They will need access to you vehicle to get the manufacturer's paint code. This is most often found in the glove box or the door jam. If your vehicle has been painted a different hue than its original paint color, the auto body technician can use an educated guess to mix your paint to match the rest of the finish closely.
You will need a fine grit sand paper, a bucket of soapy water, some wax and buffing cloths in addition to your bottle of paint. Wash the scraped area well with soapy water, paying special attention to any bugs or tar in the area. Wet your fine grit sand paper and carefully sand the edges of the scrape or stone chip, making sure to keep your sand paper wet. Dry the area well and leave it sit for at least ten minutes to make sure it dries completely. Then, shake the bottle of touch up paint for at least two minutes. Brush on a light coat of paint over the damaged area. You can always apply a second coat after the first coat dries. Allow the paint to cure overnight then use a rubbing compound followed by a coat of wax to protect your finish
Paint repairs fare the best when done on a sunny day with low humidity. If this is not possible in your area, perform the repairs inside a heated building with a dehumidifier running. You can also use heat lamps or a hair dryer on its lowest setting to help cure the paint.
Everyone has done it. You back into a pole, rear end a stray shopping cart or drop a heavy object on the trunk lid. The result is an ugly dent or a scraped finish. Turning in small damage claims to your insurance can be costly and if you have gotten an auto body repair estimate, you know that parts and labor can be expensive to pay out of pocket. There is another option though, you can fix it yourself. That's right. Armed with a plunger, a bottle of touch up paint and a few supplies, the average do-it-yourselfer can repair small dents and scratches. Here's how.
Search This Blog
Custom Search
Feb 28, 2012
Auto Repair-Tools Needed
Some are intimidated by working on a car, but the truth is most maintenance can be simply and easily performed with a relatively basic set of tools and bit of determination. The tools on this list will allow you to perform 90% of tasks associated with do-it-yourself auto maintenance and repair:
Socket set
A decent socket set will save you countless hours of struggle and frustration. You don't have to break the bank, but be sure to get a standard set for your American car and a metric set for your foreign car.
Box wrench set
Box wrenches are the ones with a closed end and an open end. They're incredibly handy for bolts that can't be reached easily with a socket.
Screwdriver set
You'll need screwdrivers to remove all kinds of parts like a fan cowling, mud flap, or door panel. Be sure to get a set with both slotted and Philip's head variations.
Oil filter wrench
This is easy to overlook, but changing your own oil is one of the best ways to save money maintaining your car, and doing it without an oil filter wrench is ridiculously difficult.
Jack and jackstands
When you're under 2 tons of steel changing the oil, having a hydraulic jack to lift it and four solid jack stands holding it securely in place makes all the difference.
Mini crowbar and mini sledge
You'll be surprised how often you need a crowbar to leverage a pulley while you change a belt, or how often that sledge will help you loosen a rusted bolt.
Torque wrench
There are bolts on your car that need to be tightened to a certain level of torque. A torque wrench, which when set properly, literally breaks away at the right torque. Besides, you'll look cool using it.
Wire brush, utility knife, and pressure gauge
These are for small maintenance tasks such as cleaning your battery terminals, cutting hoses, and checking tire pressure regularly.
Owning your own car is a proud American tradition that has become a rite of passage for men and women alike. Of course, maintaining and repairing your own car is another important part of that same rite of passage and many even find deep satisfaction - as well as even deeper savings - by learning to do their own maintenance and repairs.
Socket set
A decent socket set will save you countless hours of struggle and frustration. You don't have to break the bank, but be sure to get a standard set for your American car and a metric set for your foreign car.
Box wrench set
Box wrenches are the ones with a closed end and an open end. They're incredibly handy for bolts that can't be reached easily with a socket.
Screwdriver set
You'll need screwdrivers to remove all kinds of parts like a fan cowling, mud flap, or door panel. Be sure to get a set with both slotted and Philip's head variations.
Oil filter wrench
This is easy to overlook, but changing your own oil is one of the best ways to save money maintaining your car, and doing it without an oil filter wrench is ridiculously difficult.
Jack and jackstands
When you're under 2 tons of steel changing the oil, having a hydraulic jack to lift it and four solid jack stands holding it securely in place makes all the difference.
Mini crowbar and mini sledge
You'll be surprised how often you need a crowbar to leverage a pulley while you change a belt, or how often that sledge will help you loosen a rusted bolt.
Torque wrench
There are bolts on your car that need to be tightened to a certain level of torque. A torque wrench, which when set properly, literally breaks away at the right torque. Besides, you'll look cool using it.
Wire brush, utility knife, and pressure gauge
These are for small maintenance tasks such as cleaning your battery terminals, cutting hoses, and checking tire pressure regularly.
Owning your own car is a proud American tradition that has become a rite of passage for men and women alike. Of course, maintaining and repairing your own car is another important part of that same rite of passage and many even find deep satisfaction - as well as even deeper savings - by learning to do their own maintenance and repairs.
Auto Repair-Cheap DIY
A few other good tools to have include a creeper, a multi meter, and a tension socket wrench. All are relatively inexpensive, but can assist you in saving big money over bringing your car to the shop.
By stocking your garage with just a few important and relatively inexpensive tools, you will be able to save lots of money by performing basic car repair on your own.
The first most basic tools needed for car repair can be found in a good mechanics tool set. These days, you can find a good tool set at a big box store for under $100. Or you can choose to go with a bit more expensive set and get a lifetime replacement guarantee. If any tool in the set ever breaks or rusts beyond use, simply bring it into the store for a no questions asked exchange. Most good mechanics tool sets will include a full range of metric and standard sockets and open-ended wrenches. Most also include an interchangeable screwdriver with several attachments for different uses. More advanced sets may include a spark plug socket as well as several socket extensions to get to hard to reach nuts or bolts. A good mechanics tools set is essential to perform the most basic car repair projects.
We all know cars need regular oil changes every three thousand mile or three months. So it only makes good sense to purchase a few oil change essentials to complete the task on your own. First off, a drain pan is essential to drain the oil under most cars. The height of some trucks will allow you to get away with a 5 gallon bucket, but the drip pan is still good because it has a spout to allow for proper disposal of the used oil. If you've ever changed your own oil, chances are you know how hard it can be to unscrew the oil filter from it mount. Some more expensive oil filter models have a nice rubber grip that allows for easy turning, but for how inexpensive they are, a cheap oil filter wrench is a great tool to have on hand. Last but not least, you'll want to have a funnel on hand to ensure your oil goes where it's supposed to. One 99-cent funnel can save you from having to buy a whole new quart of oil because you spilled half of it on the engine.
Car repair, there has been a huge trend of "do it yourself" in the last decade, and with good reason. When you do something for yourself you accomplish three goals. You earn the satisfaction of doing something on your own, you save money compared to using a professional, and you have more quality control over the job to ensure its done properly. Weather its home repair, simple legal work or car repair; doing it yourself usually makes sense. To determine if your DIY project is right for you, take the amount of money you plan to save and compare it to your normal hourly rate at your job. If it's cheaper to have a pro do it, then it usually makes sense to go ahead and let them do it. But if you determine that do it yourself car repair is right for you, you'll want to stock your garage with a few basic tools to aide you in your projects.
By stocking your garage with just a few important and relatively inexpensive tools, you will be able to save lots of money by performing basic car repair on your own.
The first most basic tools needed for car repair can be found in a good mechanics tool set. These days, you can find a good tool set at a big box store for under $100. Or you can choose to go with a bit more expensive set and get a lifetime replacement guarantee. If any tool in the set ever breaks or rusts beyond use, simply bring it into the store for a no questions asked exchange. Most good mechanics tool sets will include a full range of metric and standard sockets and open-ended wrenches. Most also include an interchangeable screwdriver with several attachments for different uses. More advanced sets may include a spark plug socket as well as several socket extensions to get to hard to reach nuts or bolts. A good mechanics tools set is essential to perform the most basic car repair projects.
We all know cars need regular oil changes every three thousand mile or three months. So it only makes good sense to purchase a few oil change essentials to complete the task on your own. First off, a drain pan is essential to drain the oil under most cars. The height of some trucks will allow you to get away with a 5 gallon bucket, but the drip pan is still good because it has a spout to allow for proper disposal of the used oil. If you've ever changed your own oil, chances are you know how hard it can be to unscrew the oil filter from it mount. Some more expensive oil filter models have a nice rubber grip that allows for easy turning, but for how inexpensive they are, a cheap oil filter wrench is a great tool to have on hand. Last but not least, you'll want to have a funnel on hand to ensure your oil goes where it's supposed to. One 99-cent funnel can save you from having to buy a whole new quart of oil because you spilled half of it on the engine.
Car repair, there has been a huge trend of "do it yourself" in the last decade, and with good reason. When you do something for yourself you accomplish three goals. You earn the satisfaction of doing something on your own, you save money compared to using a professional, and you have more quality control over the job to ensure its done properly. Weather its home repair, simple legal work or car repair; doing it yourself usually makes sense. To determine if your DIY project is right for you, take the amount of money you plan to save and compare it to your normal hourly rate at your job. If it's cheaper to have a pro do it, then it usually makes sense to go ahead and let them do it. But if you determine that do it yourself car repair is right for you, you'll want to stock your garage with a few basic tools to aide you in your projects.
When Not To DIY Auto Repair
Always evaluate your reason for wanting to do the car repair on your own. Is it because you are afraid of the cost? Then understand that most repairs end up costing more when handled by someone with no experience. If it is to save time, take a little extra time to shop for a mechanic's shop that has a reputation for efficiency. In most situations, you will be better off having a professional service your vehicle rather than doing it yourself.
No Manufacturer's Instructions
While advice for repairs isn't likely to be found in the owner's manual, you can find the vehicle's manual for repairs online. If this does not clearly show you how to fix the problem, then you need to find someone who has the experience and know-how to fix it right. Without the proper instructions from the manufacturer, you risk an improper fix and sacrificing the integrity and safety of your vehicle.
You Have a Young Vehicle
If your vehicle is less than 10 years old, you can expect the computer system to be quite advanced. Sometimes a simple fix, such as changing the brake pads, can affect other aspects of the vehicle because of the way the computer system is integrated into the main assembly of the car. Hiring a professional ensures that you avoid these potentially costly mistakes.
Electronic Fuel Injection
Vehicles with electronic fuel injection need to be repaired by a professional. If you are unsure about your vehicle's fuel injection status, look in the owner's manual. Doing this type of car repair on your own can easily misalign the vehicle's timing, thus leading to costly computer repair down the road.
You Don't Have the Right Tools
Some types of car repair require highly specialized tools. Your hammer and monkey wrench may not be sufficient for advanced repairs. If you don't have the tools you need for the job, you are far better off taking it the mechanic, unless you want to invest in costly tools you may never use again. The price of these types of specialized tools can often outweigh the cost of having the repairs done at a shop.
You Aren't Sure What's Wrong
Never attempt to fix your vehicle on your own unless you are certain of what the problem is in the first place. Engines can be tricky, and fixing the wrong thing simply wastes your time and money. You may be able to do the job yourself after having a diagnostic test run at the mechanic's shop, but make sure you know exactly what needs to be done before attempting to perform repairs on your own vehicle.
You Have No Experience
It takes a mechanic many years of schooling to become skilled in his craft. Simply being "handy" is not sufficient. Unless a job is very simple, you are better off letting a professional handle it than doing it on your own with no experience.
Many vehicle owners will attempt to do their own car repair in order to save time and money. However, there are situations when you need expert help. If your vehicle falls into one of the following categories, you need to take it to an experienced shop when it needs to be fixed.
No Manufacturer's Instructions
While advice for repairs isn't likely to be found in the owner's manual, you can find the vehicle's manual for repairs online. If this does not clearly show you how to fix the problem, then you need to find someone who has the experience and know-how to fix it right. Without the proper instructions from the manufacturer, you risk an improper fix and sacrificing the integrity and safety of your vehicle.
You Have a Young Vehicle
If your vehicle is less than 10 years old, you can expect the computer system to be quite advanced. Sometimes a simple fix, such as changing the brake pads, can affect other aspects of the vehicle because of the way the computer system is integrated into the main assembly of the car. Hiring a professional ensures that you avoid these potentially costly mistakes.
Electronic Fuel Injection
Vehicles with electronic fuel injection need to be repaired by a professional. If you are unsure about your vehicle's fuel injection status, look in the owner's manual. Doing this type of car repair on your own can easily misalign the vehicle's timing, thus leading to costly computer repair down the road.
You Don't Have the Right Tools
Some types of car repair require highly specialized tools. Your hammer and monkey wrench may not be sufficient for advanced repairs. If you don't have the tools you need for the job, you are far better off taking it the mechanic, unless you want to invest in costly tools you may never use again. The price of these types of specialized tools can often outweigh the cost of having the repairs done at a shop.
You Aren't Sure What's Wrong
Never attempt to fix your vehicle on your own unless you are certain of what the problem is in the first place. Engines can be tricky, and fixing the wrong thing simply wastes your time and money. You may be able to do the job yourself after having a diagnostic test run at the mechanic's shop, but make sure you know exactly what needs to be done before attempting to perform repairs on your own vehicle.
You Have No Experience
It takes a mechanic many years of schooling to become skilled in his craft. Simply being "handy" is not sufficient. Unless a job is very simple, you are better off letting a professional handle it than doing it on your own with no experience.
Many vehicle owners will attempt to do their own car repair in order to save time and money. However, there are situations when you need expert help. If your vehicle falls into one of the following categories, you need to take it to an experienced shop when it needs to be fixed.
Cheap Auto Repair DIY
Car repair tools are something to consider - they can either provide a solution or, if used improperly, or in the case of Torque related tools, if not used at all, can make the car problem worse. You may not realize it but you may already own torque related tools. Have you ever wondered why the 10mm wrench is shorter than a 14mm wrench? Why does the ¼" drive ratchet typically only have sockets up to about 15mm? There is a good reason for both. If you use a 10mm wrench to tighten down a 10mm fastener, and aren't over "torquing", you are going to get the proper torque.
If you used a wrench that is twice as long to do the same thing your chances of over torquing, breaking or compromising the fastener are vastly increased. Using a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten a 10mm fastener is much safer than using a ½" drive ratchet to tighten the same 10mm fastener. This is a simple matter of understanding the forces of leverage and torque, the longer the tool the more leverage you get and the easier the torque is applied. As a rule of thumb, use a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten fasters if the bits are available. Generally speaking there is no reason to use a larger ratchet to tighten the fasteners below 15mm.
In some cases when torquing a fastener, whether it is a nut or a bolt, it is very important to achieve a level of accuracy. If you are attempting to repair your car yourself there are some basic techniques that will save you both time and, in the long run, money. By understanding and applying some basic car repair techniques the average person is going to increase their chance at performing a successful car repair.
There is another car repair tool that will get you the proper torque every time; provided the tool works properly. It's the torque wrench. What does a mechanic have that you don't? Well, for the most part, experience. Gaining a feel for how tight a bolt needs to be is the first step to getting the proper torque. This is simple to practice, and it is easily gauged with a torque wrench. There are certain instances that using a torque wrench is incredibly important. Rotating parts is one of them. You don't want a spinning part to loosen the nuts or bolts that hold it in place. So torque your axle nuts and flywheel bolts. Any time there is a gasket or a nut or bolt that is a "Torque to Yield" it is very important to get out that torque wrench to ensure proper installation and operation.
Make sure you replace a the bolt or nut if it is recommended by a Car repair manual. This is because that bolt or nut has to be, and has been, torqued to yield. This means that the fastener is actually getting stretched to it's proper torque. It also means that when that particular bolt/nut is removed you will not be able to reassemble using that previously torqued bolt and achieve the same required torque that assures both fit and function. Now when we are talking torque, let's consider some other factors. When the car repair manual says to oil the bolt before torquing they are further modifying the manner in which that bolt gets torqued. The friction is reduced from the addition of the oil and this means that more force is now being applied to the bolt for that set torque value. Now let's think about a dry bolt at the same torque - it is not going to get turned enough to do what the manufacturer intended to do at that torque. What is even worse is if there is a bunch of dirt, rust or any contaminants on the threads. So now that there is a bunch of dirt on the threads, you are increasing the friction and ultimately under-torquing your bolt. Do that on a new hub bearing assembly and you are going to have a separated wheel bearing that has too much play.
To get a better understanding of the importance of following torquing guidelines let's consider a situation like replacing a gasket that holds oil or coolant - a good example is a valve cover gasket; the factory wants you to apply 10 foot pounds of torque to "most" valve cover gaskets. What happens if you over-torque? You squish the gasket too much and that creates the potential for oil to escape, this compromises the gasket and the required seal.
Here are a couple of charts to give you an idea of the relative torque values that are typically applied to different sizes of bolts. These are guidelines only and this information has not been verified.
Bolt Assembly Torque (ft-lb)
Values are based on the use of lubricated threads
bolt size Grade 8.8 Grade 10 Aluminum
M6 5 10 4
M7 9 14 7
M8 17 25 14
M10 33 50 25
M12 60 85 40
M14 90 133 65
M16 140 200 100
M18 200 285 135
The above chart is for lubricated threads and only provides typical torque values - This chart is not to be followed for any torque to yield bolts or nuts and does not provide proper torque values for a bolt or nut that is holding a gasket surface. Gaskets are made of different materials and the manual pertaining to the exact application is the only source that should be used in determining the proper torque for these gaskets.
Note: size: 10mm does not refer to the bolt head it refers to the diameter of the shaft. Typical 10mm bolts have a 13mm or 14mm heads.
The following chart shows slightly different torque values, and is not based on lubricated threads. M8x1.25 is an 8mm diameter with a 1.25 thread pitch - the lower the number the finer the threads.
Hex head Cap Screw
bolt size Grade 8.8
M4 x 0.7 1.65
M5 x 0.8 4.13
M6 x 1.0 7.1
M7 x 1.0 12.0
M8 x 1.0 18.0
M8 x 1.25 17.0
M10 x 1.0 39.0
M10 x 1.25 36.0
M10 x 1.5 34.0
M12 x 1.25 65.0
M12 x 1.5 63.0
M12 x 1.75 59.0
M14 x 1.5 102.0
M14 x 2 94.0
Anther consideration is that fact that torque specification depends on the type of material used - 8.8 grade steel is the most common, but stainless steel fasteners are a stronger alternative, whereas, aluminum is a much softer metal and will require a different torque. Always check the manufacture's manual for proper torque specs. No chart that is provided in this document has been validated for accuracy. Most factory service manuals will show a torque specification chart simply based off the size of fastener, however this should only be referred to if the specific torque application is not provided.
After reading this you should feel a little more confident and a little more worried. Continue to do your homework and take on the car repair jobs within your means. Ultimately, it is the experience that is required and some failures can be great learning experience so practice first and take your time.
If you used a wrench that is twice as long to do the same thing your chances of over torquing, breaking or compromising the fastener are vastly increased. Using a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten a 10mm fastener is much safer than using a ½" drive ratchet to tighten the same 10mm fastener. This is a simple matter of understanding the forces of leverage and torque, the longer the tool the more leverage you get and the easier the torque is applied. As a rule of thumb, use a ¼" drive ratchet to tighten fasters if the bits are available. Generally speaking there is no reason to use a larger ratchet to tighten the fasteners below 15mm.
In some cases when torquing a fastener, whether it is a nut or a bolt, it is very important to achieve a level of accuracy. If you are attempting to repair your car yourself there are some basic techniques that will save you both time and, in the long run, money. By understanding and applying some basic car repair techniques the average person is going to increase their chance at performing a successful car repair.
There is another car repair tool that will get you the proper torque every time; provided the tool works properly. It's the torque wrench. What does a mechanic have that you don't? Well, for the most part, experience. Gaining a feel for how tight a bolt needs to be is the first step to getting the proper torque. This is simple to practice, and it is easily gauged with a torque wrench. There are certain instances that using a torque wrench is incredibly important. Rotating parts is one of them. You don't want a spinning part to loosen the nuts or bolts that hold it in place. So torque your axle nuts and flywheel bolts. Any time there is a gasket or a nut or bolt that is a "Torque to Yield" it is very important to get out that torque wrench to ensure proper installation and operation.
Make sure you replace a the bolt or nut if it is recommended by a Car repair manual. This is because that bolt or nut has to be, and has been, torqued to yield. This means that the fastener is actually getting stretched to it's proper torque. It also means that when that particular bolt/nut is removed you will not be able to reassemble using that previously torqued bolt and achieve the same required torque that assures both fit and function. Now when we are talking torque, let's consider some other factors. When the car repair manual says to oil the bolt before torquing they are further modifying the manner in which that bolt gets torqued. The friction is reduced from the addition of the oil and this means that more force is now being applied to the bolt for that set torque value. Now let's think about a dry bolt at the same torque - it is not going to get turned enough to do what the manufacturer intended to do at that torque. What is even worse is if there is a bunch of dirt, rust or any contaminants on the threads. So now that there is a bunch of dirt on the threads, you are increasing the friction and ultimately under-torquing your bolt. Do that on a new hub bearing assembly and you are going to have a separated wheel bearing that has too much play.
To get a better understanding of the importance of following torquing guidelines let's consider a situation like replacing a gasket that holds oil or coolant - a good example is a valve cover gasket; the factory wants you to apply 10 foot pounds of torque to "most" valve cover gaskets. What happens if you over-torque? You squish the gasket too much and that creates the potential for oil to escape, this compromises the gasket and the required seal.
Here are a couple of charts to give you an idea of the relative torque values that are typically applied to different sizes of bolts. These are guidelines only and this information has not been verified.
Bolt Assembly Torque (ft-lb)
Values are based on the use of lubricated threads
bolt size Grade 8.8 Grade 10 Aluminum
M6 5 10 4
M7 9 14 7
M8 17 25 14
M10 33 50 25
M12 60 85 40
M14 90 133 65
M16 140 200 100
M18 200 285 135
The above chart is for lubricated threads and only provides typical torque values - This chart is not to be followed for any torque to yield bolts or nuts and does not provide proper torque values for a bolt or nut that is holding a gasket surface. Gaskets are made of different materials and the manual pertaining to the exact application is the only source that should be used in determining the proper torque for these gaskets.
Note: size: 10mm does not refer to the bolt head it refers to the diameter of the shaft. Typical 10mm bolts have a 13mm or 14mm heads.
The following chart shows slightly different torque values, and is not based on lubricated threads. M8x1.25 is an 8mm diameter with a 1.25 thread pitch - the lower the number the finer the threads.
Hex head Cap Screw
bolt size Grade 8.8
M4 x 0.7 1.65
M5 x 0.8 4.13
M6 x 1.0 7.1
M7 x 1.0 12.0
M8 x 1.0 18.0
M8 x 1.25 17.0
M10 x 1.0 39.0
M10 x 1.25 36.0
M10 x 1.5 34.0
M12 x 1.25 65.0
M12 x 1.5 63.0
M12 x 1.75 59.0
M14 x 1.5 102.0
M14 x 2 94.0
Anther consideration is that fact that torque specification depends on the type of material used - 8.8 grade steel is the most common, but stainless steel fasteners are a stronger alternative, whereas, aluminum is a much softer metal and will require a different torque. Always check the manufacture's manual for proper torque specs. No chart that is provided in this document has been validated for accuracy. Most factory service manuals will show a torque specification chart simply based off the size of fastener, however this should only be referred to if the specific torque application is not provided.
After reading this you should feel a little more confident and a little more worried. Continue to do your homework and take on the car repair jobs within your means. Ultimately, it is the experience that is required and some failures can be great learning experience so practice first and take your time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)